Hoong Ling de Experience and Voice

This blog at first chronicles my experience in participating various activities but I started to voice out on certain current issues and give my views. Mostly cover views of a centrist, I at times also have strong opinions on certain issues. I feel that there is no wrong or right, and subject to discussion, disagreement and amiable consent. While we can agree strongly to an issue we also can agree to disagree.

It is the happiest news indeed. If the development could push on the "fast forward" button, more lives can be saved, human trafficking related to human organ trading could be completely eliminated and thousands and thousands of patients in the waiting list will see rays and lights of hope and lives can be normal again.

I have always been looking forward for such development because I feel the future of organ donation should rely on medical science and the invention of machines which could sustain lives.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

When issues get started, heated arguments began, I always take time to
1. See both supporters and opponents, what they say, do and how they react

2. Analyse both sides of the divide, regardless of parties

3. It will take me another week or weeks before I issue a statement or my opinions about things

What I agree with both Himpunan Hijau group and the opposition parties:
- I agree that we should take Bukit Merah as reference but it should be a learning curve instead of using it as a Stop Lynas point

- I agree on the possibilities of toxic wastes affecting people perhaps 30km radius of the plant

- I totally agree that if the plant is radioactive, measures must be taken to protect staffs and people around the plant

- I also agree with the many people supporting the movement, very rare we see movements of people and now even silent majority has taken things to street

But I also somewhat agree with the government and Lynas Corp on certain matters:
- that the plant is merely a plant with low radiation level, not like a radioactive plant as claimed by the opposition

- I agree that a Parliament Select Committee be established to look into the matter

- I agree that we have foreign direct investment and it will be very difficult to just stop the project and eventually lose interest from foreign countries to invest in Malaysia in the future. Now I know people also talked about government wants money and don't care about the people anymore - but let's just take things one by one

- I agree that the Department of Environment and AELB should be taking charge of all monitoring

Yet, both arguments - as many things are - both parties think they are right and has got no wrong. I disagree with that. Looking at both sides of the divide, I think both have their points but a question remains unanswered, 'What's Next?' Too often we see war of words, courses of blaming game but not a practical solution to the real issue.

It is not the number of people attending Himpunan Hijau that matters, it is how to solve the problem.
It is not how safe the goverment thinks Lynas is, it is how to solve the main problem pertaining the continuance or stopping Lynas

In my humble opinion, humblest of a human in Malaysia (and not an expert in this field), let me list my demands for Lynas:
1. AELB published that RM50 million deposit was to be paid by Lynas, but I think RM50 million does not justify. Learning from Bukit Merah which made the government spent RM200 million to clean the plant, the minimum deposit should at least be RM100 million

2. If it is true like what Himpunan Hijau claimed that the toxic wastes could harm people of 30km radius, Lynas perhaps should have an option for relocation for residents staying within 30km radius

3. The worry on radioactivity, I believe all staffs and people in and near the plant should be informed of the highest and lowest mSv counts every month, with all areas within the plant be installed a monitoring of the radiation level so staffs will know what they are exposed to

4. Since the government has given 12 years tax break to Lynas, perhaps we the rakyat should demand Lynas to allocate a dividend for environmental projects and for the benefit of rakyat.

5. I also demand Lynas to be more open and transparent! I'd like to see Lynas opening its doors for public visits and make it an educational visit by having people to explain and show the public how the process of rare earth extraction is being done.

6. I'd demand DOE and AELB to do their job real well, just like how oil palm industry and oil and gas industry are being strictly monitored. Secondly I'd like AELB and DOE to open their inspection sessions to the public, the rakyat, people staying around the plant and maybe Himpunan Hijau activists, perhaps each session is open to a fixed number of observers. How DOE and AELB do their inspection, what inspection standards are being used and how to determine safety levels, all these must be open to the public, more importantly the people around the plant.

7. Welfare of people working in the plant MUST not be compromised. I suggest and demand free full body checkup for all staffs at Lynas yearly. All risks and risk exposure to any radioactivity must be thoroughly informed to the staffs and made understood and signed by both parties before he or she starts working. Just like how it is a requirement for me to thoroughly understand the risks to donate part of my liver to someone. I did it after fully understanding the risks, including 1% death risk during operation and 10% risk of death due to infections.

If Lynas could not fulfill all my demands, I demand that Lynas leaves Malaysia for a better future.

[new] I disagree if we say, "go have Lynas somewhere else but not in Malaysia, but I want benefits of rare earth." A little selfish I think, because is the NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) mindset.

I stand corrected on the numbers and certain values I may have wrongly stated.

Think about this. If Australians did not have to endure radioactive radiations from a supposedly Lynas plant back there, why would us Malaysians want to willingly subject our self to a highly risky endeavour?

Friday, March 30, 2012

I am more and more disappointed with the current political scenario in our country. More to be seen especially when the general election is drawing nearer.

Our country, and rakyat which I'm very much a part of, need good people, good doers and great workers to steer Malaysia to greater heights. People of the country who put country in their heart, not just the party.

We are no more a society of reason and thinkers. We have a partisan society and a puppetry country.

First it was during YAB Lim Guan Eng debates Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek. Looking at two camps of supporters, it didn't matter who said what, as long as Guan Eng said something, opposition camp raved. As long as Soi Lek said something, MCA camp cheered.

And then we were entertained with tow-truck sister shouting her petty issues. Suddenly, she got all the spotlight shined on her. The issues raised during the debates gone with the wind. When issues are raised, I often ask 'so, what's next?' And that question stayed lingering in my mind.

Then, Bersih 2.0, Himpunan Hijau were all so partisan - is either you agree or disagree and very often, according to you party's stand.

I understand what it means by loyalty and support. As a true supporter and true loyalist, I should do what I think is right for the people and country, not blind loyalist of a party.

Bersih 2.0 is for clean and fair election. Now, months after the rally, what has both PR and BN do for fair and clean election? The current government now set up a Parliament Select Committee for this matter and coming with ideas and solid solutions.

Our country needs moderation, thinker and reasonable people.

And then we see the 325 issue. The main issue was lack of Chinese educators in Chinese vernacular schools. However the rally turned into a whether-the-deputy-minister-got-punched issue. The petty issue of getting punched or not overshadowed the real issue pertaining the future of our children in Chinese school.

We now have politicians who fight for self and party. When can we have politicians for the people?

Having said that, I still can see a few silent fighters who are solving issues and working hard without much publicity. I hope in the next election we the rakyat will need to choose wisely candidates who can reason, thinkers, problem solvers, doers (instead of talkers) and hardworkers to steer our country to great heights. We need to catch up with our neighbours which will be overpassing us soon.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

When I meet a Malay friend, I speak in Malay and when I see a Chinese friend I speak Cantonese, sometimes Mandarin or some broken Hokkien, Hakka, and a phrase of Hainanese "boh bat kong" (I don't know how to speak Hainanese!). Seeing an Indian friend, my tongue twists to Tamil with an immediate "yerperddi irrekerengge?" to ask "how are you?"

At times among Chinese friends, we speak Malay too! One such friend is Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye. From the very beginning of knowing this idol of mine, we speak Malay more often than English or Chinese. Up to now, I still do not know what dialiect is Tan Sri Lee.

When Chinese get together, is normal to ask if you are Hokkien, Hakka, Hainanese, Teo Chew, Foo Chow or Cantonese. Same goes to Indian and Malay friends.

It is in ME that I feel I am a Malaysian, the love for the country no matter what. It is the Malaysian in me that ticks on forms as "Lain-lain" and when asked to specify, I write "Bangsa Malaysia".

It is ME that I feel my country is my world, my country is the best and her name is Malaysia. It is ME because I BE the change I want to see in my country. People are often posted this to ponder "Ask not what the country can do for you but what you can do for the country." I took it seriously and when I put Malaysia in my heart, I do what I can to contribute to all the complaints I have in my mind.

My country is dirty? I clean my own home first.
My country has floods? I first play with flood waters, enjoy them and then help flood victims.
My country is developing lands on hill side? I first protest the action and try to see what else I can do.
My country has low number of organ donors? I first pledge organs myself and then organise more organ donation awareness campaigns.
My country has high road accident rates? I first drive carefully and ensure the safety of others on the road.
My country has high corruption rate? I first ensure I myself don't bribe or take bribes.
My country's inflation is high? Firstly I be frugal. Most often we see people overbuy things and eventually turn to waste.
My country's average income is low? I first educate myself and learn more knowledge to make more money.
My country has bad apples in it? I first be good and BE the change I want to see...

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A Bangsa Malaysia who finds peace and interest in all different ethnics and cultures. Speaks Malay (of course!), English, Mandarin, Cantonese, tam pook Hokkien, understands Hakka, konjo konjo Tamil and sukoshi Japanese, can even reads Jawi! Former TV Presenter for Selamat Pagi Malaysia. Gave part of liver to save a life. Have a Beagle, love spending time to read and learn about properties as well as investing in rental properties from auctions. Everything you want to know about me will be here www.hoongling.com